Vote By Mail

Voting by mail is synonymous with absentee voting. Please read below.

Absentee Voting

You may vote by absentee ballot if:

* You will be absent from the county on election day.
* You are 62 years of age or older.
* You or a family member will be hospitalized on election day.
* You have had an accident or unforeseeable medical emergency (see note).
* You have a personal illness or physical disability (A doctor's certificate is not needed.).
* You are an election official.
* You cannot vote on election day because of religious observances.
* You will be in jail for a misdemeanor or awaiting trial.
* You are a full-time fire fighter, peace officer or full-time provider of emergency medical services.
* You are on active duty in the state with the organized militia.

Note: The absentee ballot request deadline is 3 p.m. on election day in the case of medical emergencies. To be eligible under this provision, you must be confined in a hospital because of a medical emergency. A close relative may deliver and return your ballot if you so request. State the relative's name and relationship on the application. Representatives of the board of elections can be requested to deliver the ballot.

How do I apply?
Write or come to the board of elections and request an absentee ballot, giving the following information (a form is available from the board of elections for convenience, but is not required):

* Your name and voting residence.
* The election for which you are requesting a ballot.
* Your reason for being absent from the polls on election day (see absentee qualifications).
* Your party choice or that you want to vote an issues-only ballot, if the election is a primary.
* The mailing address to which you want your ballot sent.
* Your signature.
* Date.

Can application be made in person?

* Yes, at the Board of Elections office.


What is the deadline for applying for absentee ballots?

Your written request for ballots to be mailed must be received at the Board by:
* 12 noon of the Saturday before the election.
* 3 p.m. on election day in the case of medical emergencies (see note above).

Requests to vote absentee ballots in person at the Board of Elections office must be made by 4:30 p.m. on the day before the election.

All voted absentee ballots must be received at the board office by 7:30 p.m. on election day in order to be counted. Voters should request an absentee ballot as early as possible in order to meet the return deadline.

Exception: Ballots mailed out of the country will be counted if post-marked by election day and received by the board no later than 10 days after election day or for a presidential primary election no later than 20 days after the election.

ABSENTEE VOTING - (419)-898-3071

or toll free at (800) 697-9807

Toll free number can only be used when calling in
Ottawa County

From Overseas

Armed Service Absentee Voting

Who may vote armed service absentee ballots?

If you are serving in the U.S. armed forces on active duty outside the state, you, your spouse and dependents may vote by an armed service absentee ballot if you otherwise meet the requirements for voting in Ohio. Your spouse and dependents may vote by an armed service absentee ballot only if they left Ohio to be with you.

What is the voting residence of a service member?

The place where you resided when you first entered the service, unless you later establish a voting residence elsewhere in Ohio.

Must armed service absentee voters register?

* No.

How do I apply for armed service absentee ballots?

You, your spouse or a close relative may request the board of elections to mail a ballot to you. Application may be made in person or by mail. An Ohio application form or a federal post card application may be used for convenience, but neither is required; however, all mail requests must include the following information:

* Your name and voting residence.
* A statement that you are serving in the U.S. armed forces on active duty or are the spouse or dependent of a service member.
* The election for which a ballot is requested.
* Your party choice or that you want to vote an issues-only ballot, if the election is a primary.
* The mailing address to which you want your ballot sent.
* Signature of person requesting ballot.
* Date.

Can I apply in person?

* Yes.

What is the deadline for applying?

Requests to have ballots mailed must be received at the Board by:

* 12 noon of the Saturday before the election.

Requests to vote Armed Services ballots in person at the Board of elections office must be made by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

What is the deadline for voting?

Overseas Absentee Ballots must be postmarked by 7:30 p.m. on the date of the election and received by the board of elections no later than 10 days after the election, or for a presidential primary election, no later than 20 days after the election.

ARMED SERVICE VOTING INFORMATION

(419)-898-3071

or toll free at (800) 697-9807

Toll free number can be used only if calling

in Ottawa County

Permanent Address

By law your residence is the place to which, whenever you are absent, you have the intent to return. Leaving for temporary purposes, such as military service or school attendance, does not result in a change of residence for voting purposes, unless you register in the area where you are temporarily residing.

Still have questions?

Call or visit the Ottawa County Board of Elections